Financial Aid Systems Specialist

Binghamton University; City of Binghamton (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Binghamton University in New York is hiring a Financial Aid Systems Specialist to manage the Ellucian Banner Financial Aid module and ensure accurate, compliant delivery of federal, NYS, and institutional aid. The role collaborates with the Office of Financial Aid and ITS to optimize automation, implement regulatory changes, test updates, and develop staff training materials.

A bachelor's degree and 5+ years' IT or Financial Aid experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in IT services, financial aid, student accounts or related field.
• Strong analytical, technical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Ellucian Banner Financial Aid module with parameters and automation.
• Collaborate with Office of Financial Aid and ITS on projects, upgrades, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure regulatory compliance through updates and testing of changes.
• Support integration with EdConnect, COD, NSLDS, FAFSA Partner Portal and document management.
• Test updates, patches, and releases; develop staff training materials.
• Assist with reporting, data requests, enrollment stats, IPEDS, and dashboards.
• Provide technical support and training for Financial Aid staff on Banner functionality.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Project management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SQL

SAS EG

Power BI

Tableau

Argos

Python

R

Power Query

APPWorx

Job description

About Binghamton University:

Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.

Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.

Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.

Job Description:

Budget Title: Lead Programmer/Analyst (SL-3)

Salary: $60,245 - $72,000

The Financial Aid Systems Specialist is responsible for the configuration, maintenance, and support of the financial aid module within the Ellucian Banner system. This role supports the efficient and compliant delivery of federal, New York State (NYS), and institutional student financial aid by ensuring system integrity, optimizing automation, and providing technical expertise in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid, Information Technology Services (ITS), and other campus partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain the Ellucian Banner Financial Aid module, including setup of aid year parameters, fund codes, packaging rules, and automated processes (e.g., auto-packaging, disbursements, Satisfactory Academic Progress, and batch communications).
• Serve as a liaison between the Office of Financial Aid and ITS on system-related projects, upgrades, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations through timely updates and testing of regulatory changes (e.g., annual COD, ISIR, and NYS aid changes).
• Collaborate on the integration and support of related systems, including EdConnect, COD, NSLDS, FAFSA Partner Portal, and document management systems.
• Test and validate system updates, patches, and releases related to the Banner Financial Aid module and associated software tools.
• Develop and maintain documentation on systems processes, procedures, and training materials for staff.
• Support the automation and management of financial aid communications (e.g., award notifications and missing information letters).
• Analyze business processes and recommend improvements using technology and automation to enhance service delivery.
• Assist with institutional reporting and data requests related to financial aid (e.g., enrollment reporting, IPEDS, and internal dashboards).
• Provide technical support and training for Financial Aid staff on Banner functionality and related processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 5 years professional experience working in Information Technology Services, Financial Aid, Student Accounts (Bursar), or a related field
• Demonstrated analytical, technical, problem-solving, and effective communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision

Preferred

• Experience with Ellucian Banner or a similar Student Information System (SIS) or with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Customer Relational Management (CRM) system
• Experience writing, editing, and troubleshooting SQL statements and queries to extract data from relational databases
• Experience writing queries or reports using SAS EG, Power BI, Tableau, Argos, Python, R, Power Query, or other reporting tools
• Experience using software such as Applications Manager (APPWorx) to automate enterprise scheduling, integrate applications, and accelerate business processes
• Understanding of federal and state financial aid regulations and compliance requirements

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.

Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.

Additional Information

Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.

Payroll information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/

For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit: https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.html

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.

Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.